NewsViews
October 16, 2014
    Give the Lord glory and  honor. 
from Psalm 96

October  Saints:  PK-2, St. Hyacinth; Grs. 3-5, St. Tarcisius; Grs. 6-8, St. Margaret Clitherow 
October Virtue:  Reverence - Showing your deepest respect for things of God   
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Principal's Letter

Grade 8 students exceed the goal they set for themselves in 2010/2011 - 3,000 sandwiches for St. Martin de Porres!

Dear Families,

 

Cross Country Championship, The Rosary and standardized testing - these are the "big news" topics in school this week! Our Lady of the Rosary is watching over us and we honor her by praying reverently. Next week, we will have our all school Mass during which we will ask Mary, Undoer of Knots to intercede for us and to untie the knots that upset our lives.

 

The testing in grades 2 through 8 is proceeding well. Thank you for ensuring that your children are eating a healthy breakfast and getting a good night's sleep. This morning at line-up time, some fourth graders informed me that the tests are way too easy - I should make them harder! Mrs. Kelly's third graders took a break from the Iowa assessments to read me their latest writing assignment and I can assure you they all passed that test!  They wrote complete paragraphs, with engaging openings, interesting details and 'juicy' concluding sentences!

 

Your children may tell about our disaster drill today. We are partaking in the Great Shake Out and practicing a complete disaster drill. This is a good time to review your family's plans at home.

 

St. John Parish Youth Group and our eighth graders are planning an exciting Halloween Carnival of games and ghoulish fun for all families.  Whispers, shrieks and howls are swirling about a haunted house! Be brave and venture out on October 24th at 5:30pm.

 

Seņora Blanca and Seņor Pablo are going to Peru next week to meet the new pastor in our sister parish, and the new leaders in the orphanage and sister school. Thank you for your continued support through the pizza lunches.

 

Congratulations to all cross-country champions and thank you, coaches and parents for another great season!

 

Beannacht, 

 

Bernadette O'Leary  
Principal

Dates To Note/Action Items
Progress Reports home today
PK-8, Sign up for Student/Parent/Teacher conferences today - see link below

Green Banner

 

Tuesday, October 21 - Safe Environment Training, Egan Hall, 7pm

Wednesday, October 22 - DRESS UNIFORM, Liturgy, Focus on Mary 

Wednesday, October 22 - Pizza for Peru - Order Form   

 

Be sure to check the online calendar - updated regularly - for changes to the draft calendar distributed in July.  
Emergency Preparedness & Safety
The Great Shake Out!
Today we participated in the state-wide drill, beginning with an earthquake drill and then evacuating the building, running through our entire emergency plan and routine.  Students did a great job, including our 8th grade 'runners' completing tasks as outlined. 
Community Safety Awareness
From time to time, we receive notification of offenders in our neighborhood.  Our faculty and staff are apprised of these notices, and we encourage our families to be informed, as well.  You can review pertinent information here:  King County Sheriff's Office.
Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences
Conferences will be held for all students, Preschool through Grade 8, October 29, 30, and 31. School will not be in session on conference days.  Extended Day Care will be open.
 
Students in Grade 1 through Grade 8 will participate in conferences with their parents; parents of students in Preschool and Kindergarten will conference alone with teachers.  Other than Extended Day Care, there will be no supervision for children not involved in a conference.

Please schedule your conference through the links below. 

Middle School:  Schedule an appointment with the homeroom teacher.  If there is a specific concern that can only be addressed by a subject teacher, you may schedule one additional conference.  Specialists (PE, Music, etc.) - please contact the teacher directly.

PM 5-Day Preschool 
Kindergarten, Miss Barry Kindergarten, Miss Murray  
Grade 1, Miss Feeney Grade 1, Miss Schifferman 
Grade 2, Mrs. Hendrickson  Grade 2, Mrs. Oines 
Grade 3, Mrs. Castillo  Grade 3, Mrs. Kelly  
Grade 4, Mrs. Skokan Grade 4, Ms. Whiting 
Grade 5, Ms. Kelley Grade 5, Mrs. Ocampo 
Grade 6, Ms. Gudaitis Grade 6, Miss Sullivan 
 MS Math, Mrs. Marker  Grade 7, Mrs. Edwins 
Grade 7, Mrs. Macaulay Grade 8, Mrs. Halley 
Grade 8, Mr. Thomas Grade 8, Mr. Tice 
 

We ask that you make your appointment(s) for conference within the time frame set aside and avoid, if at all possible, requesting teachers to meet with you at a time other than the times offered. 
Halloween Fun Grades PK-3
 
Halloween Carnival
School/Parish for Students in Preschool Through Grade 3
Friday, October 24, 5:30-8pm, Egan Hall, FREE

Lots of games, face painting, tattoos, and a haunted house (age appropriate)!  Parish Middle School Youth Group joined with St. John School 7th and 8th graders, to create this fun event for younger children. Parents should plan for 45 to 60 minutes for their child to experience the Carnival and Haunted House. This is NOT a drop off event - you can choose to experience the Carnival and Haunted House with your child or enlist the support of a middle school student to walk your child around. We are asking parents to remain on campus. Students and parents are encouraged to come in costume. Plan on a Booo-lightful evening!
Student News

Fifth grade students enjoyed a day of circus acrobatic training at SANCA (School of Acrobatics & New Circus Arts) last week.  Above, students practice the art of walking the tight rope.

 
Students in Grade 8 exceeded their goal to make 3,000 PB&J sandwiches for St. Martin de Porres shelter.  As fourth graders, the students committed to the goal, "purchasing" a portrait, Adriana, a shelter client, by Mary Larson.  Adriana reminds us how important it is to care for the less fortunate. The portrait hangs in the west end of the second floor hallway. Mary and her son, Patrick (grade 2, St. Luke School) joined students in making the final sandwiches.

 



Congratulations to St. Al/John Cross Country Team
5th Year in a row
AAA Division Champions
Team Overall!

Trophy on display in the
School Office  
 

 
Auction
A few notes from
your Auction Team this week:

Procurement Packets are being sent home this week. Please check your student's backpacks!

Mark Your Calendars!
Wednesday, November 12th at 7pm is this year's Auction Kick Off Party! Come get to know your auction team and learn more about the many ways you can help make this year's auction a success.

Speaking of helping the auction- a HUGE shout out to the 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade classes that already have Class Liaisons in place! Thank you, Liz Overland, Lisa Longton, Brandi Dagg, Christine White, Kimberly Butler, and Meg Deines!

Thank you to the Campbells, Strimbans, and Truongs who stepped up to create and donate a Luau Party to this year's auction. This is a great example of the type of collaboration we hope to see from our families this year!
Class Lists
It has come to our attention that, due to a printing error some copies of the Family Directory did not include the individual class lists.  We have attached it here.
CYO Basketball
Students in Grades 4-8, sign up now to play  
CYO Basketball for St. John School!
 
Practices begin the last weekend of October or the first week of November. The season is scheduled to run through the end of January. Registration forms and fees are due by Wednesday, October 29. Please contact Richard Myers (rdmyers@rcmcorp.com) or Pat Daly (tpatrickdaly@hotmail.com) if you have any questions. See you on the court!

Download and return the attached Registration Form to the school office.  
Volunteer News
Safe Environment Safe Environment Training
Tuesday, October 21
7pm, Egan Hall
All adults wishing to volunteer in any capacity with children: 
In the school, church, CYO, etc.

This training is for all first time volunteers.  The training will last approximately 1 1/2 hours.  Future annual training will be online, 20 minute updates.  Questions may be directed to Sheila Marty, smarty@stjohnsea.org, in the Parish Office. 

Safe Environment Certification is a requirement for all adults wishing to volunteer with children. For more information about Safe Environment, visit www.setanet.org.
Help Spread Some Chips!
The Eagles' Nest (our outdoor classroom) needs your help in getting new chips spread into the garden. Join us on Saturday, October 18, from 10am - 12pm.  Bring shovels, rakes, wheel barrels and work gloves if you have them. If you are a 7th or 8th grader, or know one, this is a great opportunity for service hours!  
Sign Up Here! 
Grandparents Day
Grandparents' & Friends' Day for students in Grades 2 through 5 will be held on  November 20. 
  • To volunteer to help out with this great annual event, link here .
  • To bake for this event, link here.
  • To invite your student's special guests, link here.
Greenwood Library


Coming To YOUR Greenwood Library
 

   

Math Salon (ages 4 - 13)

Wednesday, October 22 @ 5:30 - 7:30pm

Join Daniel Finkel for an evening of enriching fun with math games. 

 

The Greenwood Family Forum: Learn about free library resources for school success!

Wednesday October 29 @ 6:30-7:30pm

 

 Jennifer Bisson, Youth  Services Librarian, 206-684-9234
NoJunk








Get your child excited about packing her/his lunch online
    
Scrip
A friend from St. John told me that her son lost his tooth and received money from the Tooth Fairy.  His Mom asked him what was he going to do with the money?  He replied, "I'm going to buy some St. John Scrip!"  I love it!  He thinks he gets a prize when he buys Scrip and in a way he does.  Scrip pays for many things at St. John from playground equipment to computers.  Even if your money is not from the Tooth Fairy, Scrip "profit" will enrich your child's school program. 
Thank you for supporting St. John Scrip.  

 
Please ask questions or place your orders at
scrip@stjohnsea.org. 

Cheers, Karen

Using Scrip is part of your Fair Share Commitment to St. John School!   

Questions? Contact Karen Bombino and the Scrip Team at scrip@stjohnsea.org  
Neighborhood Bites

Bishop Blanchet High School will present The Actor's Nightmare, featuring St. John School Alum Franco Micale in the lead.  Tickets are available by calling BBHS Activities Office at 206-527-7711  or at the door, October 31 and November 1, 7pm, or Sunday, November 2, 2pm.

 

Ingraham High School Private School Information Night - November 18th - 7pm in the Ingraham Library.  Parents and students welcome to attend. Questions? Mary Smith, 206-252-3888

 

Seattle Preparatory School will hold Open House on Thursday, November 13, 5:30-8pm.  Seattle Prep is a Catholic Jesuit High School located on North Capitol Hill.  Meet faculty, tour facilities and learn about curriculum and student activities.  Visit www.seaprep.org or call 206-577-2146 for more information. 

 
Thank You Corner
Students in Grade 8 wish to extend a huge thank you to the parent volunteers that helped with the sandwich making last Friday.  Thank you to our teachers - Mrs. Halley, Mr. Thomas, and Mr. Tice. Thank you to Carroll College for donating the grocery bags.  Thank you for the thank you posters!!


Want to thank someone publicly?  Send your "thanks" to Diane Crockett at  dcrockett@stjohnsea.org for publication in NewsViews.
 

"Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves,
We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!"